Friday, August 13, 2010

In recent years, my mother has developed a rather useful habit of making a mark on the front page of every book that finds its way into her library. Immediately after reading a given novel, she assigns it a rating of 1-10, so that anyone looking through her tomes for something worth borrowing will not be disappointed. I find her system both convenient and reliable, with the number she assigns being a fairly predictable indicator of how much I will enjoy the book(s) I choose.

Today I am assigning my own number, an unqualified 10, to "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet," by James Ford. Not because it is seamlessly written (though it is) and not because it takes place in one of my favorite eras, WWII (though it does), but because the combination of simplicity and depth that permeates the pages of this book makes reading it a rare and rewarding pleasure. It's all there...love, loss, hope, loyalty, betrayal, redemption...the whole of human experience, deftly set in my favorite frame: the family. And, oh, the artistry of it.

How so much emotion can be penned with such a light hand escapes me, but it certainly hasn't escaped Mr. Ford, who tells a compelling and occasionally heart-wrenching story in the most effortless way imaginable. No heavy-handed drama here, and yet a wealth of emotion is written into every page.

That is a great idea! I sometimes like to go back and read books after a few years, so it would be helpful to know how much I liked them the first time around..lol..given that it's unlikely that I would remember.

This book looks like one I'd really like..I'm looking for a new read, so I guess I'll just have to stop at B&N on the way home...

Well, all I can say is that I have started the book snd I can hardly put it down. And you tell me it just gets better and better!

I am so impressed with this author. As you say, he is really smooth, his writing is so smooth, especially when he transitions from 1942 to 1986. This is not always easy to do, but he does it so perfectly that it just flows.

Wow! I am also impressed by the comment the author himself wrote on this blog. After I finish it, I'll give you my rating from one to ten. Incidentally, I'm so glad that many of your readers like my system. I, too, love to reread books I've read and I can gaurantee that one doesn't always remember just how good the first reading was. I can't do that so much now as I am always reading books you have supplied me on the kindle you gave me as a gift, (one of the best gifts you have ever given me, I might add.

I read it, and it was wonderful....I especially enjoyed it because I came to Utah after living in Seattle and on whidbey island for five years.....I have been to the fairgrounds and will never look at them the same way again.....Great book.

Blog Design

COPYRIGHT 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Susan Noyes Anderson.
This blog is the exclusive property of Susan Noyes Anderson and is protected under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976 and all applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The content of this blog may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without the express consent of its author, Susan Noyes Anderson. All Rights Reserved.

WHICH DISNEY PRINCESS ARE YOU?

Strong and spirited. You're no one's girly girl; actually you are very determined person with a strong sense of self. Never let go of that! The only thing that equals your sense of self is your family, but the traditions of society can always be bent to protect something or someone you love.

WHICH COLOR CRAYON ARE YOU?

You Are a Yellow Crayon

Your world is colored with happy, warm, fun colors.
You have a thoughtful and wise way about you. Some people might even consider you a genius.
Charming and eloquent, you are able to get people to do things your way.
While you seem spontaneous and free wheeling, you are calculating to the extreme.

Your color wheel opposite is purple. You both are charismatic leaders, but purple people act like you have no depth.
(NO DEPTH??? SURELY YOU JEST!)